UDF announces statewide protests against offshore sand mining

The United Democratic Front (UDF), led by the Opposition Congress, will begin a series of protests across the State in April. UDF convener M.M. Hassan announced that a coastal march is planned from April 21 to April 29. This march will oppose the Central government’s offshore sand mining proposal and the State government's weak response to it. The protests will include a day-and-night demonstration on April 4 and April 5 outside local self-government offices. This is in response to the government’s decision to cut funding for local bodies. On top of that, protest marches are also planned to the Range Offices of the Forest Department. UDF leaders will demand better measures to address human-wildlife conflicts and necessary changes to the Wildlife Protection Act. The coastal march will start in Nellikunnu, Kasaragod, and end in Vizhinjam, Thiruvananthapuram, covering nine coastal districts. Hassan stated that many prominent UDF leaders will join this march. The protest outside local body offices will begin at 4 p.m. on April 4 and finish by 8 a.m. on April 5. Hassan criticized the State government for only releasing 56% of the allocated funds to local bodies, out of a total budget of ₹7,746.30 crore.